Chapter Seven

Kyle felt much better, although his lungs still ached a bit. Sophie hardly let him out of her grasp for the whole day. The young blonde, though, was perfectly content to just sit in her lap as she cuddled him. Sophie tried to keep her mind calm for Kyle's sake, but she was hardly able to hide her aggressive thoughts about what had happened. Despite how close they were, Kyle had his doubts he could stop Sophie from killing Wilshire if she saw him again. To try to help calm her, he tried to think about something else. Before he could think, he felt Sophie tense.

He looked up as the door hissed open and Catherine walked in.

"How're you feeling?" she asked. Sophie gave a soft growl as she tightened her hold on him.

"Better," he replied as Sophie slid an arm around his waist.

"I'm glad to hear that. I can assure you, Mr. Valentine has been strictly disciplined." Sophie snorted at this.

Not nearly strictly enough . . ., she growled. Kyle stroked Sophie's hand.

Take it easy.

"We still need to study the Xenomophs swimming capability. If you like, you can stay here this time," said Catherine. Sophie growled even louder at this. Kyle felt Sophie's thoughts grow red with anger.

"No, I'll come with." Sophie looked down at him. Catherine smiled and led the way as Sophie and Kyle followed. As they walked, Sophie kept her tail wrapped around his waist.

Kyle, why did you agree? He smiled as she looked back at him.

Because you liked being in the water so much. Sophie was surprised. He smiled further when he felt the warmth of her gratitude flow over him. When they reached the Aqua Tank Sophie looked hesitantly at the water, then to Kyle. He smiled warmly.

Go on, he encouraged. Sophie slid into the water and glided through with complete freedom.

This is wonderful! I wish you could feel this with me . . . Kyle smiled as he watched Sophie glide through the water. He took a deep breath as he nodded.

I can, if you want. Sophie was confused for a moment, worry evident in her mind before Kyle showed her his idea.

Are you sure?

Yes. I want to. Kyle walked over to the edge of the tank as Sophie came up, floating just in front of him. Catherine looked concerned as she walked over.

"What are you doing?" she asked, sounding a little worried. Kyle smiled as he removed his shoes and socks before gently sliding into the water. Sophie was waiting, and he gently grasped one of the tubes on her back. He smiled up at Catherine.

"I'm not about to let this get the better of me. How better to conquer your fear than to face it?" Catherine nodded in understanding, a small smile playing on her lips. With that, Kyle took a deep breath and Sophie dove under the water as he held on tight. Kyle looked around as Sophie pulled him along with her. The feeling from her mind was thrill, mixed with warmth and affection. Kyle was amazed as he saw how different things looked from underwater. He saw surprised researchers watching from a window as they swam by. At one point, Kyle let go and just let himself be suspended there, almost dancing. Sophie swam up, nuzzling him before letting him once more grasp the tubes on her back before she shot to the surface. Kyle held tight as she landed by the side of the tank. Kyle laughed as he wiped water from his face.

"That was fun!" he laughed as he sat down. Catherine came over and offered a towel, which he took, ruffling his hair dry. Catherine smiled.

"Very impressive." At this, Sophie shook the water off, getting Catherine wet in the process. Kyle noticed she didn't even flinch. They spent the rest of the day at the tank, Sophie swimming and having a great time. Kyle was happy. Sometimes he joined her, marveling at the wonders under the water, although he was still cautious. Although it had been fun, they were happy to return to their room that night. Almost as soon as they were through the door, Sophie hugged Kyle, wrapping her tail around him and lifting him up, her mind awash with warmth and affection. He chuckled as she nuzzled him.

Kyle, thank you so much! This was so much fun! He leaned his head against her as she laid on the bed.

I'm glad. I like to see you happy. Sophie cuddled him more at his words. She could feel the unease at the back of his mind, so it meant a lot to her what he did.

Kyle. My wonderful Kyle, she said fondly as she wrapped around him.

XXX

Dr. Reinhardt watched the footage of Kyle and Sophie in the Aqua Tank on the screen in his desk as Catherine stood to the side.

"It's showing exemplary agility in the water. This would seem to indicate that it evolved on an aquatic world," said Catherine as they watched Sophie glide through the water with ease.

"It does at that. We may never know, but, in the end, it's largely irrelevant. The only thing that matters is the end results." Catherine nodded.

"Even if we can't reproduce them, the studies we're making of their behavior and abilities are fascinating to say the very least." Dr. Reinhardt nodded as he typed. The screen displayed Kyle and Sophie, asleep on their bed.

"I agree. Especially the interactions with its host. I never would have guessed that Patient-113 would prove to be so very useful."

XXX

Things continued like that for the next week. Every day, Kyle and Sophie would go to the Aqua Tank and Catherine would record Sophie's aquatic agility. Kyle also learned to swim himself, with Sophie's help. Kyle couldn't escape the feeling that Catherine and the other scientists were watching him as well. Despite this, Kyle and Sophie really enjoyed swimming. Their activities and exercise together seemed only to strengthen their bond. Then, Catherine changed things up and had them go to the gym on alternate days. This time, Kyle tried jogging a little. His long legs made him a fairly good runner, although he was nowhere near as fast as Sophie.

Every day, they seemed to get stronger, drawing on each other's strength. Throughout all of this, Kyle marveled at Sophie and how fast, strong, agile and smart she was. She was the most amazing person he had ever known in his whole life.

One night, as he sat in Sophie's lap as she cuddled him, he thought fondly on how she had lightened up his life. He smiled as he sat, head against her chest as he stroked her tail that was wrapped around his waist, the tip twitching every now and then. It was then that he wondered on something he never had before.

Sophie? She looked down at him.

Yes?

How did you get here? He could feel her confused thoughts. He looked up at her.

I mean, where did you come from? He felt uncertainty for a moment before she pulled back as she sent warm, gentle thoughts to him as she gently ran a finger over his chest.

You. Kyle blinked at that. Sophie gently cupped his face as she gave a low moan. She nuzzled her head against his softly. I came from you. Kyle blinked, confused. Sophie stroked his cheek as he felt her mind touch his.

The images were vague, like they were faded somewhat. He saw a large creature that he couldn't quite place. It looked vaguely like Sophie, but more ornate, and immensely larger. It laid a large egg from a long tube suspended from the ceiling of a strange . . . cave of some sort. He saw one of Sophie's kind carefully take the egg and move it to another place. Kyle noticed a strange animal of some sort was stuck to the wall with some kind of substance that looked kind of like Sophie did. The whole cave looked like Sophie did. He watched as the top of the egg opened like a flower and something began to emerge. It looked like a skeletal hand, or a spider.

A long tail acted like a spring and the creature flew and attached itself to the animals face, the tail wrapping around the neck. He saw the creature drop off and weakly crawl away into a small corner where it stayed. He couldn't help being startled when the animal, which reminded him of a gazelle, began to thrash and scream. He watched, startled as the animals chest bulged. Kyle was breathless as the animals chest at last broke open and the small creature inside fell to the floor. It had no legs or arms, but he knew what it was. It gave a screech and quickly crawled off. He saw as it shed its skin and grew into a familiar form, which looked at him and his vision cleared.

Kyle gasped as the white light faded and his vision returned to normal. He blinked as he looked up at Sophie, startled. She was cupping his face as she looked at him. Kyle blinked, trying to understand and process what he'd just experienced. He was almost breathless as he pulled the pieces together. He felt a feeling of cold dread in his chest as he realized his position in the . . . vision. Sophie felt his fear and tensed. He stared at her, silent for a few moments.

You . . . grew inside me? He received an affirmative from her, and he felt the cold solidify. He swallowed as he blinked, remembering what happened to the animal. He looked at Sophie, who gave a low moan. So, if they hadn't taken you out, I would have . . . He felt turbulent feelings from Sophie as she stroked his face.

Yes, but Kyle I'd never do anything to hurt you! Please understand that! I'd never, EVER hurt you! I care for you! Sophie was panic-stricken that he'd be frightened of her . . . or hate her. Kyle felt her feelings and gently touched her face. She was relieved as he rested his head against her neck.

And I care for you. I could never fear you, Sophie. Don't worry, and don't cry. Sophie gladly wrapped around him, showering his mind with feelings of warmth and comfort. If she had been human, he knew she'd be crying. Kyle reached out to her mind, as she had done so many times, showing her and telling her how much he cared and that he could never fear or hate her. When she had calmed, he looked up at her, softly stroking her face. So, I guess this kind of makes me your parent. Sophie gave a negative.

No. The Mother is my parent. A . . . host is different. Kyle felt a feeling of guilt from her and rubbed under her chin, eliciting a purr from her.

Sophie, never feel guilty you were born. Ever! She was shocked at the power he said that with. He smiled warmly as he touched and caressed her. He gave her as much warmth and soft feelings as he could. Sophie nuzzled him. Kyle smiled as he held Sophie's hand against his chest, letting her feel his heartbeat. So, when I slept when . . . I carried you, I was connecting with your mind, even then. Sophie purred as she nuzzled him.

Your heartbeat is still a wonderful sound. Kyle pulled her tighter against him.

Sophie, I'm glad we met. I'm glad I . . . was your host. He looked up at her as he cupped her face. I love you, Sophie. From the bottom of my heart. Sophie gave a soft moan as she took that in. She pulled him close, resting her chin on his back as she cuddled him.

And I love you, my wonderful Kyle.

XXX

Dr. Reinhardt looked over the reports from Catherine as he leaned back in his chair.

"Marvelous progress. I'm impressed." Catherine stood to the side, passive as usual. Dr. Reinhardt looked up at her. "When do you think we can begin combat evaluation?" he asked.

"I believe in about two weeks, although Patient-113 may make things difficult in that regard," she replied flatly. Dr. Reinhardt smiled coldly.

"Not to worry. You just let me take care of that."

XXX

Sophie awoke when she heard a soft sound. She looked up and looked around. She heard the soft sound again and looked down at Kyle. She could feel unease and sadness from his mind as he murmured in his sleep. She softly stroked his face.

Kyle . . . She touched his mind, trying to comfort him. She was assaulted by vague images and memories, all of them were filled with a feeling of cold and sad loneliness. She was surprised and saddened at what she saw.

She saw the memory of Kyle, just a tiny little boy, trying to wake an old woman who wouldn't wake. His grandmother. He was so small, he didn't even know why she wouldn't wake up. The memories changed to being in a strange, cold place that reminded her of the labs. It was filled with other children, all of them without parents. The adults didn't care about the children, not really. It was cold, sad and lonely. She saw Kyle being picked on because he was the smallest. She was angry when she saw the reason he was terrified of water: an older boy pushed him into a pool. Sophie felt sadness fill her as she saw little Kyle, sitting on a bed, his knees pulled up to his chest as he wept.

"Why was I born?" the tiny, sad voice echoed as the image faded into dark blackness, but the sound of Kyle crying remained. It tore at her and wounded her like nothing else.

Go away! Leave him alone! Sophie roared, sweeping her tail at the darkness as hard as she could. She felt his mind and enfolded him in warmth and comfort. She felt his fear and sadness fade away.

Sophie . . .

You're safe, Kyle. I'm right here. I love you and will never leave you. His mind pulled closer to hers and she welcomed him, embracing his consciousness with love and tenderness. Now Sophie knew why he had been adamant she not regret being born: He did. It pained her to know the most important person to her, the one she loved above all things, had lived such a sad, lonely life, regretting the very fact he had been born. The cold, stinging pain of loneliness shocked and dismayed her. She could hardly conceive of it. It saddened her to think her beloved Kyle had lived with it for so long. When she was satisfied the dream wouldn't return, she let herself drift to sleep, Kyle's mind still embraced within hers.

Kyle slowly woke, feeling warm. He felt smooth, soft skin move against his face and smiled. He opened his eyes and was greeted by a long expanse of translucent dark skin. He felt Sophie's face against his chest and stroked her head.

Good morning. He received warm thoughts from her as she snuggled closer, her tail curling behind his back and pulled him tighter against her.

Did you sleep well? Kyle smiled as he stroked her jaw.

I always do when I'm around you, he said fondly. Sophie looked up at him and he felt her mind wrap around his, filling him with warmth and affection. She reached up and stroked his face lovingly. They spent their time talking about what Sophie had shown him. It was hard for Kyle to fully understand, being human, the concept of "Hive Memory". He knew it was basically memories passed down at the genetic level by Sophie's kind. Kyle was amazed by what he had seen. He knew he should have been more frightened than he was of the idea, but he was more fascinated than anything else. At the same time, Sophie was surprised, and saddened by how lonely humans were by their very nature.

Their minds were closed off from one another. She couldn't grasp such . . . emptiness and solitude. It would drive her mad to be so alone. Kyle had to agree with her. They were surprised when the door hissed open and Dr. Reinhardt stepped in, smiling his usual, creepy smile that made Kyle shudder. Sophie gave a soft hiss as she curled her tail around Kyle. Sophie had only seen Dr. Reinhardt once, behind the glass in her old cage.

She still didn't like him.

The feeling of unease he gave Kyle only made her that much more wary. Dr. Reinhardt smiled as he watched them.

"Well, my boy! You seem to be settled in nicely! Marvelous. I take it the accommodations are to your liking?" If there was one thing about Reinhardt that creeped Kyle out above everything else, it was the Dr.'s sickly sweet attitude. It was a constant source of discomfort for him. Kyle tried to appear normal as he replied.

"Yes. It's much nicer than the old room." Reinhardt smiled as he looked at Sophie, who gave a low hiss, almost inaudible.

"Very good. Glad to hear that. If you two will follow me, I need to have you two checked out to make sure you're healthy." Dr. Reinhardt grinned at Kyle, who suppressed a shudder. Sophie mentally comforted him. "Especially you, my boy. Need to make sure your poor chest is healing right." Kyle blinked and gave a soft sigh as he stood.

We're not going, are we? Sophie asked, a feeling of unease and protectiveness coming from her. Kyle looked at her.

We have to. Otherwise they'll know something's not right. We have to keep up appearances. Sophie understood and followed. Reinhardt smiled and walked out the door. When Kyle and Sophie exited their room, they found Catherine there as well. Sophie growled softly.

Great, now we have to be around both of them at the same time . . . Sophie was far from pleased. Kyle reached out to her mentally as they followed. Dr. Reinhardt led, followed by Catherine. Sophie, as always was the case with Catherine, walked in front of Kyle. Kyle was somewhat relieved when they entered the medical bay. Dr. Reinhardt smiled as he helped Catherine set up the electro-scanner to see inside Kyle. Sophie was tense, but Kyle soothed her fear and unease, showing her what the strange device did. Sophie was still wary and watched for even a hint that it hurt him as he laid down. Dr. Reinhardt grinned while Catherine gave a soft smile.

"Your ribs seem to be healing very well. The incision is almost healed on the outside." said Catherine as she stopped the machine. Kyle sighed with some relief as they let him up.

"Now, do you think you could get the Xenomorph to lay on the table so we can check its health?" Dr. Reinhardt asked. Kyle blinked and looked at Sophie. He felt unease from her, but assured her she wouldn't feel a thing. Gingerly, Sophie hopped up on the table and curled up, almost like a cat, her jaws resting on her hands as the scanner whirred to life. Kyle watched the screen and was amazed at what he saw. Sophie did, indeed have an exoskeleton, in addition to an internal one. Kyle blinked, surprised when he saw just how well protected Sophie actually was. He felt a sense of pride coming from her as he watched the scan reveal the complex inner workings of her.

Sophie was just as awed at the images Kyle showed her of the scans. It wasn't every day she was able to see inside herself. Kyle couldn't help a smile when he saw the scan of Sophie's head. Her brain was at least twice the size and weight of a human's. Kyle already knew how smart she was. Sophie was relieved when the scanner deactivated and leaped down from the table to stand at Kyle's side. Dr. Reinhardt was grinning. "Well, you both seem to be in very good health! Glad to hear it!" Sophie gave a very soft growl.

As Catherine approached, Sophie slid her tail around Kyle and gave a soft hiss. Catherine stopped, not looking intimidated at all. Kyle felt the tension from Sophie and soothed her as best he could. Dr. Reinhardt chuckled, sticking his hand into the pockets of his lab coat. "Well, with that out of the way, how about some exercise? I hear you and your friend have taken quite well to swimming." Kyle felt Sophie's unease grow rapidly.

"Uh, since we swam yesterday, I thought walking around the gym would be good." Dr. Reinhardt nodded and led the way. Catherine followed, then Sophie and Kyle.

He's watching us . . ., Sophie said, unease clear in her tone. Kyle sighed.

I know. That's why we can't let on about how things really are. I don't even want to think about what they'd do if they knew about our bond. Sophie agreed. They were silent for a while as they walked.

Do you think they're mates? Kyle fought not to stagger in shock at that. He blinked as he watched Catherine and Dr. Reinhardt. He frowned.

I've never really thought about it. They're definitely creepy enough for each other . . . Sophie was immensely amused by that. They were relieved when they arrived at the gym, but more than a little surprised when Reinhardt stayed, watching them. Kyle and Sophie just walked side by side. Thank you, Sophie. She looked at Kyle as he smiled softly. For being there for me, for helping me and being my friend. He received warm, gentle thoughts in return. They spent the day just walking and mentally sharing thoughts and feelings. Reinhardt and Catherine were never any the wiser of the conversations Kyle and Sophie had not twenty feet from them.

Kyle was relieved when it was time to head back to their room. Dr. Reinhardt smiled as Catherine led that way. Sophie once again walked between Kyle and the Dr.

"You seem to have improved a lot, my boy. And you've helped us a lot with our research! I can't thank you enough!" Sophie was uneasy. She didn't like Reinhardt any more than Kyle did. Kyle gave a halfhearted smile. As soon as the door to their room closed, Sophie flicked her tail.

I really don't like them. Kyle nodded as he called for some dinner for them.

Neither do I. Sophie snorted as she crawled on the bed and hugged Kyle.

At least Reinhardt smells normal. The other one doesn't. Kyle was surprised and looked at Sophie.

Catherine smells funny? He couldn't help being amused. He wondered if she wore cheap perfume or something. Kyle smiled and shook his head. They certainly are the gruesome twosome. At this, Sophie gave a stuttering hiss. Kyle smiled wider, knowing she was laughing. He laughed as well. Sophie pulled him closer, nuzzling him. He looked up as their meals arrived. He looked up at her. Shall we? Sophie stroked his hair as they gathered their dinner and ate peacefully.